Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Happy Pre-Birthday.To me.Damnit.

I'm turning 40 in five months. I'll be honest with you and say I'm a little weirded out by this one. I'm THAT person who just loves birthdays. But this one is taking some getting used to...although I just heard 40 is the new 30.

So, to get into the groove, I'm starting the birthday celebration NOW. In my 30's.

I'll be giving something away each month before my December 7, 2010 birthday.

And don't I know how to get this party started? Yes, by buying myself this cool serving tray at Crate & Barrel. Only $9.95! I'm frugal and 39 7/12!

For the "5 month" countdown, I'm giving away a $39 7/12 Amazon gift card to one lucky winner! ($39.58 US Dollar gift certificate to Amazon.com) To enter, just leave a comment (if you aren't connected to a blog, leave your email address). Deadline is Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at midnight PDT. **Updated: Contest is closed. Congrats to Vicki #8 who won!**

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, whisk together flour and baking soda; set aside. With a Kitchen Aid and paddle, beat peanut butter, butter, and sugars until light and fluffy...about 3 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla, and beat until smooth. With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture, beating just until combined. Stir in chocolate chunks.2. Drop dough by heaping tablespoons, 1 inch apart, onto two large baking sheets. I used half-sheet pans and a Silpat or parchment paper. Bake until golden, 13 to 15 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool.

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comments:

Happy almost birthday! I love that you are celebrating leading up to the big event! I just turned 30 in March - totally should have done that! And thank you for sharing with your readers! The cookies look awesome.

Peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies are among the best things life has to offer. What a great way to start your b-day countdown!(By the way, I've been a lurker/reading your blog for ages and am a BIG fan!)

I understand exactly what you mean about the 40 thing....omg... I turn 41 next week and I just can't stand it.... I hated 40 so much coming around so fast and NOW its partner in crime...41... how did it get here sooooo darn fast?

You are to funny! What a great way to celebrate! Those cookies look so yummy! Thanks for sharing the recipe! I am 41 and several months, 42 in October! I was so down about turning 40, after the cake I got over it! You will to! ;o) missytaylor2000 at yahoo dot com

Your still so young , only thirty yrs old with some experience to back it up ;) . Thats what happened to me , i stopped growing older and started becoming more experienced yrs ago . Happy almost birthday!!

Happy almost birthday to you. Today is my real birthday and cookies are my most favorite dessert. Thank you for the recipes. Enjoy your 40's - they will be wonderful. I speak from experience!maile@rugbooks.com

happy happy pre birthday. I've seen you and you look younger than me! I'm not even joking. Anyway 40 is totally the new 30. I wish I was 40. That would mean that my kids would be teenagers and probably potty trained by then.

Mmm chocolate chunk cookies. I love them, but I'm too cheap to buy the good-quality chunks, so when I make them I use cheap generic chips and the result is always "meh." Actually, that may be a good thing, otherwise every single one of the cookies on that pretty platter would be in my tummy within an hour of emerging from the oven.

Mary, 40 IS the new 30! 40 is FABULOUS! I just turned 40 in June. Like you, it felt different than turning 30...maybe it's because when I was a kid, I thought 40 was WAY old. Now that I'm here, I'm determined to be the healthiest and sharpest I've been ever. Love the Crate & Barrel serving tray! Thanks for the chance to win the gift card. liznakata@gmail.com

Happy pre-birthday! What a great way to celebrate. Mmmm. Fell in love with you blog between the pictures and the recipes, and promptly shared with my foody friends! I may have found what I'm baking this weekend! Love pb and chocolate.

40 is nothing to fear (of course, I'm in my late 50's so consider the source....) Peanut butter and chocolate are a match made in heaven. Are you going to serve these on your birthday? Will you send a batch to everyone who comments? (only kidding)

Happy early birthday! I read your blog nearly every day - but I have never commented until now. I suppose I should comment more often to let you know that I really adore reading your posts and seeing your photography. [slaurachang at gmail]

The cookies look delish, as do all of your recipes. Thank you for such an informative and entertaining website. I found you via your friend JustJenn, and enjoy reading about both of your antics. Have a fabulous 40th!

Don't fret over 40!!!!!! This Friday, the 16th, I turn 55 and I am proud of it!!! I love-love-love birthdays. My 2nd daughter was born on the 15th and had me in the hospital on my birthday that year, 1981. We celebrate all month long together. It's what you make of it.

I saw this recipe yesterday and really wanted to make them. Until I discovered I was out of peanut butter, that is. After the next trip to the grocery though, I will be trying them. They look so yummy.

My birthday too, but it'll be 44 for me. Happy Birthday, do it big, invite all those you love to a place you love and let me celebrate YOU!!!! I did, it was the best birthday ever! oops. mscharlied@hotmail.com

I know how intimidating those big numbers can be, so I think it's a great idea to celebrate them for a long time (and get used to and learn to appreciate them ;) ).I hope you have a great time living up to the big day and of course a killer birthday itself!And don't forget to never *act* your age! :D

Happy 39 7/12 birthday. I will be 40 in almost six years and I am freaked out by it. So I can totally understand what you are going through. What an awesome plate from C&B. Lovely plate and lovely cookies.

Ooh, pick me, pick me. I was an assistant librarian in high school and now I check out numerous library books regarding all things culinary (and a lot of non-culinary topics) plus I have an unhealthy addiction to Amazon. Have a very happy birthday!